I thought I'd raise this topic. We are all pretty familiar with what our anxiety looks like.But I think it's even more important to know what our recovery could look like.

Personally, I'm starting to improve with the help of klonopin. I wake up not feeling the usual dread.I'm finding moments in the day when I can joke with my coworkers. I'm handing stressful momentsbetter, and being more social with friends. Best of all, I'm excited to work on my novel again.

But I think it's helpful for me to continue to help define criteria for recovery. Like if I finish revising my novel in the next month.Or if I figure out what fun thing I want to do for my brief summer vacation. Or if I start throwing more slumber parties.Feel less lonely, more myself, more clear about my goals. A return of my sense of humor and adventure.Or I expand my circle of friends. For me, thinking about these criteria help me quantify stages of recovery.

Do you guys think about stuff like this? What specifically your recovery could look like?

This is a great question! Yes, I do think about what my total recovery from anxiety would look like:I would finish getting my degree in Fine Arts.I wouldn't dread every party I'm invited too, on the contrary, I would be excited to go to them.I would begin to look for outside employment, even if that is just part-time.I would be more social and outgoing.I would love to eat out in restaurants with my husband, like I used to.I wouldn't be too afraid to drive on the highways.I would just enjoy my life and live it to the fullest.

I have thought about it many times before and lately I have not been good with my anxiety. I would like to finish my business degree.I would like to travel.I would like to be more social and make new friends.I would like to not worry and be free.I would like to have a flexible job.I want to be without anxiety...

Since last week, I've been going out without thinking about anxiety.I wake up in the morning feeling good instead of obsessing about anxiety.

My recovery is looking like this the past week:Went to a BBQ 30+ miles round trip. (Agora no problem!)Went to new acupuncturist Started working out again- no pain, no gain. Getting outside in the heat/humidity (no heat anxiety and not thinking about it when I go outside)Feeling motivated and doing creative things (photography, going to the beach, stores)

My goal is to be the best me I can be- accepting that I have OCD/Anxiety/Agora and knowing that it is a day at a time. Accepting that I might have an attack- get through it and forget about it....like when you sneeze...You sneeze, and that's it. No thoughts involved

Redapples, thanks for sharing your positivity. And for starting another thread that's upbeat.Sometimes we anxious folks forget how important it is to spotlight the good stuff.I've also wanted to try acupuncture some time.

I see recovery as a continual process of growth and management of my anxiety and my life rather than some future point or goal I'll have achieved. Why? Because I want to live in the present not the future. Because I don't want to miss the small moments of improvement or lessons I might learn along the way. I've managed to live more deeply and passionately with my anxiety thanks in part I imagine to some of the benefits of the fish oils and SSRIs on my mental processing but also due to the soul searching and encouragement I've received in therapy. And also the knowledge that I can perhaps reach some of my patients in a way I couldn't before with my experiences.

But a couple of goals I'd like to reach and haven't yet:

-I would like to be able to sit and read a psychology or medical article for the pure enjoyment and knowledge, and not because my anxious mind is telling me: You haven't learned enough, you NEED to read one more chapter, NEED to read one more book, you can't put it away until you've found one more tool to use in practice

-Develop healthier relationships with my family of origin. There is a lot of codependence there, I need to put just a little distance there until I can reforge those relationships in a more productive manner. They are good people, but they like me are caught up in a lot of faulty thinking that has caused intense stress.

-Manage my fatigue. I've had pretty intense fatigue that's been ongoing well before my full blown anxiety kicked in. It is in fact an anxiety trigger of mine. Once I get my new insurance in the fall I want to see my family doc back and see if there's concern for any sleep disorders or the like. I can sleep 8-9 hours and still wake tired. If I can get this improved I think that would be a good step in recovery.

Redapples, thanks for sharing your positivity. And for starting another thread that's upbeat.Sometimes we anxious folks forget how important it is to spotlight the good stuff.I've also wanted to try acupuncture some time.

Hi, Worldbeat!

Yes, we need to spotlight the good stuff for sure!

Are there many acupuncturists in your area? I highly recommend giving it a shot. (or needle! ) I usually fall asleep on the table....zzzzzzzzz.....